The New York Senate Has Once Again Passed a Bill That Would Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in the State

Courtesy of Google Images

Today it was once again announced as six years prior, a bill has passed in the New York Senate legalizing the practice of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the state.  New York remains one of the last states to not have a regulating body for MMA.  Much to the chagrin of large promotions like the UFC which envision the possibility of revenues that could be generated by holding events in venues like Madison Square Garden.

The bill still needs to be passed in the Assembly and signed by Governor Cuomo.  New York's governor has on the record several times expressed his support for the addition of MMA to New York.  The UFC itself has spent millions of dollars in lobbying efforts in the state.  Also various athletes from the company like Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey and Long Island's own Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman have made the trip up to Albany to garnish some good will from the state's legislators.

Some attribute the failure to legalize MMA in New York to the strength of the Culinary Union in the state.  The Culinary Union has produced a bitter lobbying campaign against the Fertitta brothers who own Station Casinos in Las Vegas.  Station Casinos remain as some of the last non-union casinos in Vegas.  The Fertittas also own Zuffa LLC. (the parent company of the UFC) and as a result fans in New York have suffered from this feud.

In addition, New York's Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was a staunch opponent of the sport's legalization.  He would do anything to roadblock the bill from reaching the assembly floor.  There are also allegations that the Culinary Union directly contributed to his campaigns.

Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in FBI custody Courtesy NYPost.com

However, fans breathed a sigh of relief when Silver was arrested by federal authorities under suspicion of corruption. Former Speaker Silver had been charged with taking over $4 million worth of bribes and kickbacks. Finally the biggest obstacle had been surpassed and fans envisioned an event at MSG by the year's end.  Now all that's left is for a vote to finally happen in the assembly and the governor's signature.

This law would rename the state's boxing commission into the New York State Athletic Commission, regulating both professional and amateur MMA events put on in the state.  In addition, the state would also require a promoter to bond $50,000 insurance at professional events for injuries sustained by fighters as well as other accidents during the event.

I will keep my readers updated on any developments to this story, but fingers crossed it may be happening finally this year.  As always feel free to leave a comment down below if you have any questions or would like to contribute to the conversation.  I can also be contacted via Google+ and twitter @mmalegal2016.